Monday 16 August 1999

New Arrangements Pave Way for Closer Relationship Between Offshore Oil and Gas Industry and Unions

Representatives of oil companies operating in UK waters and union leaders met in Aberdeen today (11 August 1999) to sign new consultation arrangements that officially acknowledge trade unions as stakeholders and social partners in the offshore oil and gas industry.

The arrangements were signed by Bob Connon, President of the UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA), the oil and gas companies representative body, and TUC General Secretary, John Monks, on behalf of the Inter-Union Offshore Oil Committee, a sub committee of the TUC representing seven affiliated unions in the offshore industry.

The arrangements will help pave the way towards greater co-operation between trade unions and oil companies operating offshore, establishing a set of procedures to promote a more active dialogue within the industry on matters of common interest and concern.

Amongst these are procedures governing offshore visits by union officials and liaison with other industry representative bodies. The document also outlines how UKOOA and the IUOOC which aim to meet at least four times a year will work together to develop joint guidelines on good employment practices and the conciliatory role the two organisations could play in helping to resolve disputes or problems.

Bob Connon, President of UKOOA, said: The new consultation arrangements result from an acknowledgement by industry and the trade unions that we share areas of common interest. The future of 350,000 jobs, not to mention UK self-sufficiency in energy and the substantial tax revenues received by Government, depend on the continuing success of this countrys offshore oil and gas industry.

However, the industry has now entered a critical phase in its life cycle. The North Sea is a maturing province. New ways of thinking and working must be introduced if we are to prolong oil and gas production and maximise the recovery of reserves.

There is a great deal of convergence in what the trade unions want to achieve by adding value to society and what the Industry needs to do to remain successful in business. The new arrangements embody the new spirit of co-operation that has already been seen in the participation of the trade unions in industry initiatives such as the Step Change in Safety and the Governments Oil and Gas Industry Task Force. But they take it one step further, opening doors for a closer relationship where the goal is a successful industry providing mutual benefits.

John Monks, TUC General Secretary, said: A new spirit of partnership is sweeping the UK. In industry, manufacturing and the service sector more and more unions and employers are realising the advantages that come from pooling ideas and sharing problems. The signing today is indicative of the new co-operation now at the core of modern industrial practices.

Note to Editors

1. The UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) is the representative organisation for the UK offshore oil and gas industry. Its 31 member companies are licensed by Government to explore for and produce oil and gas in UK waters.

2. UKOOA is a Trade Association and not an employers organisation, and therefore must leave specific employment issues such as pay and benefits, recruitment, manning and work cycles for individual member companies and their contractors and suppliers to negotiate.

Also visit the TUC web site at http://www.tuc.org.uk/.

See also media briefing 'THE UKOOA IUOOC Consultation Arrangement'.

For more information, please call 020 7802 2400.